BREAKING: Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes huge financial pledge to Man Utd alongside 25% stake

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to invest a further $300m (£245m) from his own pocket into Manchester United's infrastructure, according to reports.

Last month, it was confirmed that the Glazers had accepted Ratcliffe's offer for a 25% stake in United, following the news that rival bidder Sheikh Jassim had withdrawn from the race.

Ratcliffe's offer will reportedly be the first step of a staged buyout from the Glazers, as he seeks to gain full control of the club in future.

Sky Sports have since revealed that Ratcliffe will commit a further £245m to the project, taking his total investment to over £1.25bn.

The report explained that "the £245m investment would be staggered, with the bulk of it being handed to the club by the end of the year."

While one source told Sky Sports that the the additional investment "would be focused on United's physical infrastructure, and not on addressing deficiencies on the playing side of the club."

The sum will also allegedly "address the concerns of observers who have questioned whether Manchester United will benefit from new investment in Old Trafford, which has fallen well behind the stadia of rivals such as Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur."

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